Just A Little Sample:

      Pricilla VanBuren sat at her all white vanity in her all white room which she hated, but would never tell her mother because she picked every hideous thing in the room.  She frowned as she looked at herself in the mirror.  Only God knew how tired she was of her parents running her life.  Her mother often pretended to be nice, but really she wasn’t.  It was either her way or not at all and usually that was the way her father wanted it because she didn’t seem to have a mind of her own outside of her dad. 

     What she really didn’t understand was why would they let her go through all these years hoping and dreaming that they would finally let her have something of her own and then on the day of her graduation from college, tell her that they had set up a match for her to marry Mitch Randolph.  Of all the men in the world, why Mitch?  He was good looking, but boy did he know it.  Arrogant was his middle name.  He had been chasing women around town for years and once he had all the women in town, he started traveling and bringing a different one home to visit every holiday or for whatever celebration.  What made them think she wanted to attach the rest of her life to someone like that?  She didn’t care that they were the richest family in the state just because they owned Randolph Steel.  What was money anyway?  Just another way for people to look down on those less fortunate.  She had been watching it happen her whole life, and she wanted no parts of it.  At this rate, she would be willing to work the railroad with her dad and brother, if it meant an escape from Mitch.

     “Hey pet,” chimed her mother as she opened the door and stuck her head in her bedroom without knocking as usual. 

     Pricilla hated that name.  The way her mother said it sounded degrading.  Thing was she knew she meant it that way.  “I’m not your pet!” Pricilla gritted out.

     Her mother frowned and then crossed her arms over her chest.  “You’re not even half dressed and the Randolph’s will be here any minute.”

     “The graduation party isn’t for another 3 hours mom,” said a perturbed Pricilla hating the way her mother was now changing her hair style making her even more agitated.     

     “You know your father does not like for your hair to be messy like this.  He says it makes you look like hooker trash and I agree.”  She tugged and plied at Pricilla’s hair putting it into a high severe bun on top of her head with a few tendrils dropping to the sides.  “Yes.  That looks elegant.”

     Pricilla let out a sigh and threw her brush back up onto the vanity.  “Whatever.”

     “I hope this is not what you’re wearing,” said her mother picking up the dress lying on the bed and taking it back into the closet.  She soon returned with another and laid it on the bed instead.

     “So now you’re my beautician and a makeover expert?”

     “Child, stay in your place.  Please check your attitude, calm down and shut-up.  Tonight is very important for us and your father.  We need you to look extra special to impress Mitch’s father, Barton Randolph.  It’s not every day you get a chance to be picked as a billionaire’s bride.  The Randolph’s are coming early and bringing Mitch over so that we all can sit down and converse with each other.  Aren’t you excited to be picked out special for Randolph’s son?  He wants someone classy, beautiful and educated, with some business sense.  That’s you.”

     “Seriously Mom,” Pricilla pushed out before she lost her nerve, “we need to talk about you guys automatically assuming I would be okay marrying Mitch.  Everyone knows that if it were not for Randolph’s money he would probably be in jail.  Of course he has to pick himself out a daughter in law, who would even want to be near him or Mitch.  The son is the town whoremonger and womanizer, and the father is a non-convicted rapist several times over!  I refuse to have anything to do with those people.  If it were anybody else they would be under the jail by now.  I’m probably the only woman that hasn’t been approached by him or his son.  I guess they were saving me for this special day.”

     “Pricilla!  How dare you speak like that about your future!  And regardless of how you feel, you will do as you are told!”

     “Mom, that man is NOT my future!  Have you guys lost it?  You would give me to that family without a thought, and just because they are worth billions?  What kind of life could I have with a man like Mitch Randolph?  I refuse to give up my whole life, my every dream and center all the energy I have trying to making a man like Mitch Randolph happy.  That is impossible.  I’d be nothing but his slave.  The man is a notorious flirt!  Probably has prostitute’s on speed dial just like his father!  What kind of life would I have?  I refuse to sit back, do nothing and lose myself like you did with dad!”

     Her mother calmed and then smiled.  “You will obey your father and me.”

     “Obey!”

     “You are too young to understand these things.  I love your father and because of that love I have made sacrifices.  That’s what you do as part of a partnership and marriage.”  Her mother came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders, but Pricilla jerked away.

     “Sacrifices and love?  Please!  You may love Dad, but I am convinced that he has never had any love for us.  The only thing that Mister VanBuren loves is money, his son and heir, and that railroad.  That is where his WHOLE heart is and you know it.  Besides, you have always went along with anything Dad says and this will be no different!”

     “I happen to think that this is an excellent match for you and an excellent merger for the business.  Once we merge with Randolph the sky is the limit.  Our money will mingle with theirs.”

     “So that’s all I am to you and dad, a business merger?”

     “Well….yes and no.”  Her mother began to laugh.

     “I don’t see any humor in what you just said.  Mother this is cruel.”

     “You want to know what’s cruel?  Cruel is a spoiled brat arguing with her mother and father about trying to make their lives better.  You didn’t think we were cruel when you were going to the best schools and wearing the best clothes.  We weren’t cruel when we bought you a $100,000 car for your high school graduation.  Truth is we didn’t even purchase that car, Randolph did.  The salons, beauticians and spa’s down through the years, do you know how much all of that cost?  It was all Randolph Steel money, little girl.  From the womb you had been promised as Randolph’s son’s wife.  You can close your mouth because it’s about time you knew the truth.  Even your college education was funded by Randolph.  You may as well lift your glass and say to yourself, welcome to the family, because dear, you are going to marry Mitch.  You are already owned by Randolph Steel.  He paid for you from birth or should I say he paid for your lavish upbringing.”

     “So virtually what you’re saying is that you sold me to Barton Randolph?”

     “In a way.  Randolph had an interest in you and we allowed him to invest.  We also promised him when the time came you and Mitch would be married.  The last piece of the puzzle was you graduating college.  Now that that’s done, the wedding is next.  Randolph will be naming Mitch as his successor within the next 5 years and he wants him settled and married by then with a son.  I hope you can at least manage that.”  Her mother let out a chuckle.

     “I can’t believe this.” Pricilla let out a sob and laid her face on the bare vanity.

     “Believe it, pet.  You are set to be married in 6 months.  Everything has been arranged.  Me and Evelyn Randolph have even picked out your wedding dress.  The venue and the invitations are all ready to go.  Once everyone sees you two together at the party tonight everything will be going as planned.  Within 2 weeks we will send out the save the date cards.  Think about it.  In 6 months you will be a billionaire.”  Her mother stared into the air with her arms up as if in a dream.

     “I think I am going to be sick.  Mom you sound crazy.”

     “I may sound crazy but a crazy billionaire’s mother I will be.  Have you seen the yacht Randolph just purchased?  We’re all invited down for the weekend.  He’s going to take us to the Florida Keys.  That will give you and Mitch some time to get to know each other better.”

     “I don’t want to know that pervert any better than I already know him.”

     “You are so full of drama.  Pet, embrace the wealth and go with it.  Bottom line is that you are marrying that pervert whether you like it or not.  Now, we’ve talked long enough.  I have explained everything to you.  This is how it will be.  You are obligated to give return on this man’s investment.  I am sure you are into Randolph for millions.  Time to pay up.”  She laughed, picked up the dress from the bed and walked over to Pricilla with sure strides.  “Wipe your eyes and fix your face.  You are messing up your make-up.”  Mrs. VanBuren hurriedly turned Pricilla around and began refreshing her make-up.  “Yes, that’s better.  Here put on your dress.”

     Pricilla sat there staring at herself in the mirror as her mother walked towards the door not being able to move. 

     Her mother turned once she reached for the doorknob.  “Hurry up now.  Don’t be long.  They should be here any minute.”  She giggled as she shifted her dress and then her wig.  “I need a stiff drink after that conversation.”

     She walked out the door but then doubled back.  “For what it’s worth, I do love you pet.  Someday you’ll thank me.”

     Pricilla turned and looked at her mother and shook her head.  “Love!  You have no love!  Get out mom,” she whispered on a sob and watched as her mother threw up her shoulders and closed the door.